The Portuguese government has said that digital terrestrial television transmissions are likely to start in 2008. Minister for parliamentary matters Santos Silva said the commencement of the tender process would allow Portugal to comply with the European Union’s objective to have completed the digital switchover process by 2012.
The much-delayed digital TV project at one point risked being shelved indefinitely until being put back to the spring of 2007. The latest delay came as a result of the bid for Portugal Telecom by SonaeCom, which is now expected to be finalised by April.
Legislation covering national and regional channels is expected to be put before parliament in the next few weeks.
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